Rotary soil coring apparatus



April 20, 1965 A. D. BULL ROTARY SOIL corme APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 19. 1962 INVENTOR. ALMOND D. BULL BY fimod fi .gW

FIG. I

ATTORNEYS A ril 20, 1965 A. D. BULL ROTARY SOIL GORING APPARATUS FiledMarch 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F1 E-Z April 20, 1965 A. D. BULL3,179,135

ROTARY SOIL CORING APPARATUS Filed March 19. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ALMONO 0. 1901.4.

United States Patent 3,179,186 ROTARY SOIL CURING APPARATUS Almond 1).Bull, 520 S. 16th St., Chiclrasha, ()lda. Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No.180,604

. 9 Claims. (Cl. 173-140) This is a continuation-in-part of myco-pending application Serial No. 675,790 filed July 2, 1957, andentitled Hydraulic Sail Sampler and Penetrometer, now United StatesPatent 3,026,951, which application was a division of my United Statesapplication for Letters Patent Serial No. 373,072 filed August 7, 1953,now United St tes Patent 2,868,019 which was a continuation-in-part ofmy United States application for Letters Patent 222,225, filed April 24,1951, and now United States Patent 2,701,121.

This invention relates generally to improvements in apparatus forobtaining soil samples, and more particularly, to such an apparatuswherein the coring tube is both driven and rotated into the earth toobtain a core sample.

As it is well known in the art, it is common practice to force a coringor sampling tube into the earth, such that a core of soil is received inthe tube and can be studied or analyzed upon withdrawal of the tube fromthe earth. An apparatus which has been proven commercially successful isdisclosed in my US. Patent No. 2,868,019 issued January 13, 1959. Thisapparatus utilizes a pair of driving chains mounted on a mast structurewith a coring tube supported by the chains through the medium of adriving head. The chains are moved lengthwise by a hydraulic drivesystem for forcing the coring tube downwardly in the earth and,alternately, for raising the coring tube for inspection of the corecontained in the tube. As indicated, the apparatus has been highlyuseful. However, such apparatus requires an excessive amount of powerwhen used to take samples in hard soils, such as shales and sandstones,or to take samples in compacted, high density soils in a roadway, sincethe cutting action of the coring tube is obtained solely by a downwardmovement of the tube into the earth.

In one aspect, the present invention may be considered an improvement onthe apparatus disclosed in the abovementioned patent. Bascially, thepresent invention contemplates the use of a rotary drive system incombination with a vertical drive system for a soil coring tube, suchthat the coring tube is not only forced downwardly into the earth but isalso rotated to obtain a cutting action and minimize the force requiredto drive the tube into the earth. More specifically, the presentinvention contemplates the combination of a vertically extending mastwhich may be easily mounted on a transporting vehicle; at least onechain mounted on the mast; a drive system for moving the chainlengthwise along the mast; a driving head carried by the chain forvertical movement along the mast upon movement of the chain; a rotaryhead carried by the driving head for vertical movement with the drivinghead; means for turning the rotary head about a vertical axis duringvertical movement of the rotary head; a coring tube; a drill stemconnecting the rotary head to the coring tube for moving the coring tubevertically and rotatably; and a cutter on the lower end of the coringtube for cutting a core in the earth which is received in the coringtube as the coring tube is moved downwardly and rotated. The drivesystem for the rotary head is preferably hydraulic and utilizes a squareshaft or kelly between the hydraulic drive and the rotary head tofacilitate the vertical movement of the rotary head during rotation, Thedrill stem is preferably a series of joints which can be easilydisconnected, without the use of expensive or complicated tools, forregulating the depth of penetration of the coring tube.

ice

An important object of this invention is to obtain soil samples anywherefrom shallow to relatively deep depths in all types of soils.

Another object of this invention is to provide a soil sampling apparatuswherein the coring tube may be driven through asphaltic or concrete roadbeds and the like, as well as into hard soils such as consolidatedshales or soils containing rock.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable soil samplingapparatus wherein the coring tube is forced into the earth or othermedium while simultaneously being rotated.

Another object of this invention is to obtain a soil sample atsubstantially any desired depth in a minimum of time and with a minimumof manual labor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vertically movableand rotary soil sampling apparatus which may utilize any desired power,such as hydraulic or electric, or a gasoline motor.

A still further object of this invention. is to provide a simplyconstructed soil sampling apparatus which may be economicallymanufactured and which will have a long service life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of a sampling apparatus constructedin accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is another elevational view of the apparatus taken from theright-hand side shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3A is a partial sectional view as taken along lines 3A-3A ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view, partially in elevation,illustrating the construction of the rotary head and drill stem.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the connection between therotary head and the drive shaft or kelly in a preferred embodiment ofthe apparatus.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along lines '77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an elevatio-nal view of a modified drive system for therotary head.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGURES 1, 2 and3, reference character 12 generally designates a sampling apparatusutilizing a mast 14 supported in a vertical position in any desiredmanner. For example, the mast 14 may be secured on a base plate orfoundation 15 by use of angle iron braces 16 suitably bolted to the baseplate 15 and the sides of the mast. Additional bracing 18 may beprovided between a bracket 2d at the upper end of the mast and another.

bracket 22 along the length of the mast, if desired. An additionalbracket 24 is secured to the lower end of the mast for purposes to bedescribed. As shown in the drawings, the mast 14 is preferably in theform of an I- beam and each of the brackets 20, 22 and 24 is in the formof plates suitably bolted to the sides of the mast.

Sprockets 26 and 253 are journaled in the upper and lower brackets and24 to receive a pair of drive chains 39 extending along the length ofthe mast 14. The upper portion of each drive chain 30 is extendeddownwardly along the back 31 of the mast 14 underneath a sprocket 32,and then upwardly for connection with the upper bracket 2% by suitablebolts 34. The lower portion of 5.3 each drive chain is extended upwardlyalong the back 31 of the mast 314 over a sprocket 36 and then downwardlyinto connection with the intermediate bracket 22 by suitable anchorbolts 33. The sprockets 32 and 36 are mounted on a clevis it? formovement upwardly and downwardly in unison to move the drive chainsvertically along the front 4.2 of the mast 14. It will be apparent thatwhen the clevis 4% is moved upwardly, those portions of the drive chains3% extending along the front 42 of the mast 14 will move downwardly, andwhen the clevis 4i. is moved downwardly the same portions of the drivechains will be moved upwardly.

The clevis is moved by a suitable double-acting hydraulic ram 44 havingits piston rod 46 connected to the lower end of the clevis. The actionof the ram 44 is controlled by a suitable hydraulic system 48 having ahydraulic pump 56 and four-way valve 52. The details of construction ofthe hydraulic system 48 form no part of this invention and it is notbelieved necessary to describe the system in detail herein. It may benoted, however, that the pump 54 may be easily driven from the powertake-off of a motor vehicle when the apparatus is mounted on the vehicleto minimize the cost of the installation. On the other hand, the drivechains 39 may be driven by any suitable power source, such as electricalor penumatic if desired.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3, the portions of the chains 39extending along the front 42 of the mast 14 are guided by suitablechannel members 54- welded between the opposite webs of the l-beam mast.A mounting plate 56 is firmly secured to the chains 36 at the front 42of the mast by welding, such that the plate 56 will be moved verticallyupon lengthwise movement of the chains 39. As illustrated in FIGURES 1and 2, the

mounting plate 56 is secured to the chains 39 near the upper end of mast14 when the clevis 4% is in its lowermost position to provide themaximum vertical travel of the mounting plate. It may also be noted inFIGURE 3 that suitable ange iron guides 59 are secured to the oppositesides of the mast 14 in positions to guide the mounting plate 56 andprevent movement of the mounting plate away from the mast. It ispreferred that the angle irons 59 extend over substantially the entirelength of the mast 14 for controlling the complete travel of themounting plate.

A driving head 66 is rigidly secured to the mounting plate 56, as bywelding. The driving head 66 is preferaoly' constructed in the mannerdisclosed in my US. Fatent 2,868,019, with a coupling structure 6?;(FIGURE 4) on the lower end thereof for connection with a coring tube inthe event it is desired to use the apparatus with only a verticalmovement of coring tube for a coring operation,

generally designated by reference character 64, is carried by thedriving head 69, preferably on the side of the driving head opposite themast 14. As shown in FIGURE 4, the rotary head comprises a verticalshaft 66 extending through a bearing housing 68 and having a sprocket'70 on the upper end thereof. The sprocket 'itl is rotated in a mannerto be described for rotating the shaft 66 about a vertical axis. Adouble tapered bearing race 72 is suitably secured around the shaft 66within the housing 68 tocooperate with tapered or Timken bearings '74.The

bearings 74 are positionedbetween the inner race 72 and outer races '76suitably secured in the housing 68 to support the shaft 66 in a fixedvertical position in the housing 6% and accommodate both radial andaxial thrusts imposed on the shaft. A guide tube 73 is secured to thehousing 68 around the shaft 66 and extends downwardly around the shaft.Suitable sealing or packing rings are positioned in the tube '78 aroundthe shaft 66 to prevent the leakage of lubricant out of the lower end ofthe tube. It is preferred that the housing 63 be filled with a suitablelubricant to facilitate the operation of the bearlugs 74. The bearinghousing 68 and the tube 78 are rigidly secured to the driving head 6%,as by welding, for vertical movement of the rotary head 64 with thedriving head.

The coring tube 82 (FIGURES 1 and 2) is connected to the rotary head 64by a drill stem 84 shown in detail in FIGURE 4. Basically, the drillstem 84 comprises a plurality of joints of elongated elementsinterconnected in tandem relation to position the coring tube 82 anydesired distance below the rotary head 64 while moving the coring tubevertically and simultaneously rotating the coring tube. In a preferredform, the drill stem 34 comprises an upper joint 36 in the form of asolid shaft which is threadedly connected at its upper end 88 to thelower end $9 of the rotary head shaft 66. An open-ended box 92 issecured on the lower end of the joint 86 in any suitable manner, as bywelding. The box $2 cooperates with a mating open-ended box 4 suitablysecured on the upper end of the next lower joint 96.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the boxes 92 and 95 are square in crosssection, and the box 4 is of a size to be telescoped into the box 92.Thus, rotation of the upper joints 86 will be translated through theboxes 92 and 94 to the next lower joint 96. Cooperating or matingapertures 98 and 166* are formed in corresponding sides of the boxes 92and 94 to receive a tapered latching pin N92 for retaining the boxes intheir telescoped positions. The pin M2 is secured on the free end 164 ofa U-shaped spring 186 secured inside of the smaller box 94 by a fastener107. The spring S106 is preferably sufiiciently resilient that the pinm2 may be forced inwardly through the mating apertures 98 and 1% forwithdrawal of the box 94 from the box $2 manually without the use of anyspecial tools. It will be apparent, however, that when the pin 162 ispositioned in the bores 98 and 1%, the box he cannot be removed from thebox 92 and the joints 86 and 96 will be adequately interconnected. Itwill also be noted that since the upper edge 19211 of the pin 102 istapered, the pin will move inwardly upon insertion of the box 94 in thebox 97-, and then'outwardly through the aperture ltltl as the boxes arefully telescop'ed.

The joint 6 may take any desired form, such as a joint of pipe which hasthe required strength and rigidity. Any desired number of joints 96 maybe used and theadjacent joints are interconnected by boxes 94 and '92 inthe same manner as shown in FIGURE 4 to provide easy removal andinstallation of the joints. The lower, joint of the drill stem 84 issuitably secured to the upper end of the coring tube 82 as illustratedin FIGURES I and 2. The coring tubing 82 may take any desired form,

such as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent. A suitable annularcutter 1953 is secured on the lower end of the coring tube to provide acutting action upon rotation of the: cutter. The cutter 1% may take anydesired form, such as a short joint of tubing or pipe having teeth inthe lower end thereof as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. at will beunderstood that the coring tube 32 and cutter 168 may be replaced by asoils auger to obtain disturbed soil'sannples if desired.

The sprocket '70 of the rotary head 64 is driven by an endless chain 110extending around the sprocket 7b and another sprocket 112 as illustratedin FIGURE 6. The" sprocket 112 is drivingly connected and slidinglysecured on a shaft or kelly 114 having a square cross section. Thesprocket 112 is retained at the same level as the sprocket 7d of therotary head 64 by a bearing assembly 116 on the shaft 114 and a yoke 11%extending from the rotary head 64m the'bearing. As shown most clearly inFIG- URE 8, the bearing 116 comprises an inner race 128 having a squarebore therethrough for cooperation with the square shaft 114 and beingconnected at its upper end to the sprocket 112, as by welding. An outerrace .122 is journalled on the inner race 120 and held in. a fixedposition longitudinally of the inner race 120 by a flange 124 and aplate 126 at the upper and lower faces of the outer bearing race. Itwill thus be apparent that the inner bearing race 120 and the sprocket112 will turn with the square shaft 114, but they may be movedvertically on the shaft 114. The outer bearing race 122 may or may notturn since it is journalled on the inner bearing race. A groove 128 isprovided around the outer bearing race 122 to receive the outer endportion 130 of the yoke 118. As shown in FIGURE 7, a groove 132 isprovided in the outer end 130 of the yoke 118 to fit around the outerbearing race 122 in the groove 128. The groove 132 is somewhat less thana semicircle in order to facilitate the connection of the yoke 118 tothe bearing 116. The opposite end of the yoke 118 is rigidly secured tothe housing of the rotating head 64, as by welding.

As shown in FIGURE 2,. the upper end 134 of the square shaft 114 isextended above the sprocket 112 and isjournalled in a suitable bearing136 secured to the respective side of the mast 14. The lower end of theshaft 114 is journalled in a base plate 138 suitably secured to andextending outwardly from the respective side of the mast 14. Thus, thesquare shaft is retained parallel with the mast 14 and is supported torotate about is longitudinal axis. The lower end of the shaft 114 isconnected to a suitable hydraulic motor 140 through a gear arrangement142 for rotating the square shaft. Both the hydraulic motor 140 and gearbox 142 are suitably supported from the base plate 138. It may also benoted that the base plate 138 is supported only slightly above the baseplate 15 of the mast 14 in order that the driving head and the rotatinghead may be moved downwardly the maximum extent for a coring operation.

Operation Prior to taking a soil sample, the hydraulic system 48 isoperated to actuate the ram 44 and lower the clevis 48 to raise thedriving head 61 and rotary head 64 to the upper end of the mast 14. Thecoring tube 82, with the cutter 188 on the lower end thereof, is thensecured to the rotating head 64 by the drill stem 84. A sufficientnumber of joints are used in the drill stem 84 to position thecutter 108below the mast 14, but above the surface of the earth.

The hydraulic motor 140 is then placed in operation to rotate the squareshaft 114 through the gear box 142. The shaft 114 drives the shaft 66 ofthe rotary head 64 through the medium of the sprockets 112 and '78 andchain 110, to in turn rotate the cutter 188 through the drill stem 84and coring tube 82. The hydraulic system 48 is then operated to actuatethe ram 44 and force the clevis 48 upwardly. Upward movement of theclevis 4t drives the drive head 60 and rotary head 64 downwardly alongthe mast 14 through the medium of the chains 38. The simultaneousdownward force and rotary force imposed on the cutter 108 provides anefiicient cutting action to facilitate the penetration by the cutter 108and the coring tube 82. As the cutter 183 moves downwardly throughtheearth, a core is formed and enters the coring tube 82.

Whenthe coring tube 82 is filled with a core, the coring tube isretracted by operation of the hydraulic system 48 until the coring tubeis above the surface of the earth. The core in the tube 82 is thenremoved and the coring operation repeated by further downward movementof the coring tube 82 and cutter 188. This operation is repeated until acore sample is taken at the desired depth. In the event the drill stem84 as originally assembled is not sufficiently long to obtain thedesired penetration, the drill stem may be easily lengthened byinsertion of additional joints 96. Normally, one of the box connectionsshown in FIGURE 4 along the length of the drill stem 84 is parted whilethe coring tube 82 is inserted in the ground. The rotary tube 64 is thenraised sufficiently for the insertion of an additional joint 96. Whenthis new joint is inserted in the drill stem 84, the rotary head 64 isagain driven downwardly for a lower core sampling operation. Thedownward movement of the rotary head 64 may be continued until thebearing 116 is in contact with or substantially in contact with the:base ,plate 138. In this connection, it will be noted that the sprocket112'is moved downwardly along the square shaft 114 by use of the yoke118 and bearing 116 to retain the sprocket 112 at the same level as thesprocket 78 on the rotary head 64. Thus, the drive chain 111) encirclingthe sprockets Til and 112 will be retained level and in operatingposition in all vertical positions of the rotary head 64.

The apparatus 12 is particularly suited for use on a motor vehicle sinceit can be easily mounted on the bed of a vehicle, the draw bar of atractor, or on an auxiliary trailer, and not be extended unduly highfrom the vehicle. Also it will be noted that the hydraulic system 48and, the hydraulic motor are both positioned in proximity with the bedof the vehicle to facilitate the connection of the hydraulic system andmotor to power equipment in existence on a motor vehicle.

In the event of any malfunction of the drive system for the rotary head64, the coring tube 82 and cutter 108 may be simply driven in the groundwith no rotation. This same type of operation may also be obtained bysimply securing the coring tube 82 to the connection 62 of the drivehead 60. Such operations are sometimes desirable in obtaining samples ofextremely loose or wet soils which would be disturbed by a rotary actionof the cutter 188 and coring tube 82.

A modified embodiment of the invention is partially illustrated inFlGURE 9. In this embodiment, the mast 14 (except for the structure atthe upper end thereof), the driving head 60, the driving system forraising and lowering the driving head 68, and the rotary head 64 remainthe same as shown in the previous figures. The change in this embodimentshown in FIGURE 9 is solely with respect to the system used for rotatingthe shaft 66 of the rotary head 64.

As shown in FIGURE 9, a square shaft or kelly 200 is connected directlyto the upper end of the rotary head shaft 66 by a suitable coupling 202and extends vertically upward from rotary head 64. The square shaft 288is supported in such vertical position by a pair of bearingassembliesZtM supported by suitable brackets from plates 285 extendingupwardly from both sides of the mast 14. Each bearing assembly 204includes an inner race 286 having a square bore therethroughto slidinglyreceive the square shaft 201), and an outer race 288 in which the innerraoe 286 is journalled. Thus, the bearings 284 will retain the shaft 290vertical, yet the shaft 28-1) may rotate and move vertically through thebearings 284.

A sprocket 210 is slidingly secured on the square shaft 200 on top ofthe lower bearing assembly 204 to turn with the shaft 208 and yet allowvertical movement of the shaft 280 therethrough. An endless chain 212extends around the sprocket 210 and another sprocket 214 driven by asuitable hydraulic motor 216. The motor 216 may be supported by one ormore arms 218. extending rearwardly from the plates 285, as by brackets220. It will be understood that the hydraulic motor 216 is se curedbetween the arms 218 in order for the chain 212 to encircle both of thesprockets 210 and 214 and extend between the plates 285. The hydraulicmotor 216 is suitably connected to a hydraulic system (not shown) Inoperation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9, the hydraulic motor 216is placed in operation to rotate the square shaft 288 through the mediumof the sprockets 7 2 16 and 21d and endless chain 212. As the drivinghead 6% and rotary head 64 are moved downwardly in a sam plingoperation, the shaft 2% moves downwardly through the bearing assemblies294 and the sprocket 21% while retaining the driving connection of theshaft to the hydraulic motor 216. Thus, the square shaft 2% must have alength at least as great as the stroke of the driving head 60 and rotaryhead 64.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides an apparatus by which core samples of ail types of soils may beobtained. The coring tube may be driven through asphalt or concrete asmay be overlying or forming a road and obtain a sample of soilunderneath the road. The coring tube is both rotated and forceddownwardly to obtain a cutting action with a minimum energy requirement.Alternatively, the coring tube may be simply driven downwardly to obtaina sample in those soils which would be disturbed by a rotary motion ofthe coring tube. It will further be apparent that the present apparatusis simple in construction, may be economically manufactured and willhave a long service life.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts orelements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in thedrawings, it being understood that changes may be made within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for taking a core sample of the earth comprising: V

a generally vertically extending mast;

at least one chain mounted on the mast;

drive means on the mast for moving the chain lengthwise along the mast;

a driving head carried by said chain for vertical movement along themast upon movement of the chain, said driving head including anelongated vertically extending member having a coring tube connection onthe lower end thereof;

a rotary head carried by the driving head for vertical movement with thedriving head and positioned above the lower end of the driving headwhereby said coring tube may be connected to the rotary head, andalternately, to the driving head, depending upon the soil conditionencountered;

.means for turning the rotary head about a vertical axis during verticalmovement of the rotary head;

a coring tube having an upper and a lower end;

a drill stem connecting the rotary head to the upper end of the coringtube for moving the coring tube in the same motions as the rotary head;and

a cutter on the lower end of the coring tube for cutting acore in theearth which is received in the coring tube as the coring tube is moveddownwardly.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotary head comprises:

a vertically extending shaft;

21 sprocket on theupper end of the shaft connected to said means forturning the rotary head;

a bearing race secured around the shaft; and bearing means carried bythe driving head cooperating with said race for transmitting thevertical movement of the driving head to the rotary head during rotationof said shaft.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for turning therotary head about a vertical axis includes: a kelly rotatably supportedparallel with the mast;

means for turning the kelly; and

7 means connecting the kelly to the rotary head.

4-. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means connecting thekelly to the rotary head comprises:

. a first sprocket slidably secured on the kelly for vertical movementon the kelly for rotating with the kelly;

a second sprocket on the rotary head;

an endless chain extending around said first and second sprockets; and

means retaining said first and second sprockets level with one anotherduring vertical movement of the rotary head.

5. Apparatus for taking a core sample of the earth comprising:

a vertically extending mast;

at least one chain mounted on the mast;

drive means on the mast for moving the chain lengthwise along the mast;

a driving head carried by the chain for vertical movement along the mastupon movement of the chain;

a rotary head carried by the driving head for vertical movement with thedriving head;

a kelly rotatably supported parallel with the mast;

means for turning the kelly;

a first sprocket slidably secured on the kelly for vertical movement onthe kelly for rotating with the kelly;

a second sprocket on the rotary head;

an endless chain extending around said first and second sprockets;

a bearing on the kelly having an inner race slidingly secured on thekelly and an outer race rotatable on the inner race, said inner racebeing secured to said first sprocket for vertical movement with saidsprocket upon vertical movement of the bearing;

a yoke connecting the outer race of said bearing to said driving headfor moving said bearing and said first sprocket upon vertical movementof the driving and rotary heads;

a coring tube having an upper end and a lower end;

a drill stern connecting the rotary head to the upper end of the coringtube while moving the'coring tube in the same motions as the rotaryhead; and

a cutter on the lower end of the coring tube for cutting a core in theearth which is received in the coring tube as the coring tube is moveddownwardly.

6. Apparatus for taking a core sample of the earth comprising: 7

a vertically extending mast;

at least one chain mounted on the mast;

drive means on the mast for moving the chain lengthwise along the mast;

a driving head carried by the chain for vertical movement along the mastupon movement of the chain;

a rotary head carried by the driving head for vertical movement with thedriving head;

a kelly rotatably supported parallel with the mast and positioned above,and in alignment with the rotary head;

a pair of bearings secured to the mast and slidably supporting the kellyfor vertical movement of the kelly;

a first sprocket secured on the kelly and slidable along the kelly;

a hydraulic motor mounted on the mast;

a second sprocket driven by the hydraulic motor;

an endless chain around the first and second sprockets;

means connecting the kelly to the rotary head;

a coring tube having an upper end and a lower end;

a drill stern connecting the rotary head to the upper end of the coringtube for moving the coring tube in the same motions as the rotary head;and,

a cutter on the lower end of the coring tube for cutting a core in theearth which is received in the coring tube as the coring tube is moveddownwardly.

7. Apparatus for taking a core sample of the earth comprising:

a vertically extending mast;

at least one chain mounted on the mast;

drive means on the mast for moving the chain lengthwise along the mast;

a driving head carried by the chain for vertical movement along the mastupon movement of the chain; 7

a rotary head carried by the driving head for vertical movement with thedriving head; means for turning the rotary head about a vertical axisduring vertical movement of the rotary head; a coring tube having anupper end and a lower end; a drill stem connecting the rotary head tothe upper end of the coring tube for moving the coring tube in the samemotions as the rotary head, said drill stem comprising:

a plurality of elongated joints; and a quick opening coupling betweenadjacent joints A comprising:

a first open-ended box on the lower end of the upper joint of theadjacent joints; second open-ended box on the upper end of the lowerjoint of the adjacent joints, said second box being telescopicallyextended into the first box, said boxes having mating apertures incorresponding sides thereof when the second box is positioned in thefirst box;

a latching pin supported in the second box in a position to extendthrough said mating apertures for coupling said boxes together; and

a spring in the second box biasing said pin outwardly through saidapertures whereby said boxes are uncoupled by forcing said pin inwardlyinto the second box; and

a cutter on the lower end of the coring tube for cutting a core in theearth which is received in the coring tube as the coring tube is moveddownwardly and rotated.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 and wherein said spring is U-shapedand is secured at one free end thereof in the second box; and said pinis secured on the other free end of said spring.

9. In an apparatus for taking a core sample of the earth, thecombination of:

a vertically extending mast;

at least one chain extending along the length of the mast,

drive means on the mast for moving the chain lengthwise along the mast;

an elongated driving head for a coring tube having an upper end and alower end;

means securing the driving head to the chain near the upper end of thedriving head;

vertical guides secured to the mast at opposite sides of the chainproviding flanges spaced from the mast and extending toward each other,and

a T-shaped flange secured to the driving head near the lower end thereofextending between each of said flanges and the mast for retaining thedriving head substantially vertical, said T-shaped flange being sized toslide from sideto-side between said flanges and the mast.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,352 12/89Bartholomew 173-140 425,718 4/90 Walker 173-165 1,665,269 4/28 Lear173--141 1,707,230 4/29 Lowy 385-319 2,581,362 1/52 Craine 173--1652,594,098 4/52 Vanderzee 173-147 X 2,643,858 6/53 Hardman 173-382,685,462 8/54 Lofquist 285319 2,701,121 2/55 Bull 173 147 2,781,1852/57 Robbins l73147 3,012,619 12/61 Farque 173--140 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM,Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR TAKING A CORE SAMPLE OF THE EARTH COMPRISING: AGENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING MAST; AT LEAST ONE CHAIN MOUNTED ON THEMAST; DRIVE MEANS ON THE MAST FOR MOVING THE CHAIN LENGTHWISE ALONG THEMAST; A DRIVING HEAD CARRIED BY SAID CHAIN FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT ALONGTHE MAST UPON MOVEMENT OF THE CHAIN, SAID DRIVING HEAD INCLUDING ANELONGATED VERTICALLY EXTENDING MEMBER HAVING A CORING TUBE CONNECTION ONTHE LOWER END THEREOF; A ROTARY HEAD CARRIED BY THE DRIVING HEAD FORVERTICAL MOVEMENT WITH THE DRIVING HEAD AND POSITIONED ABOVE THE LOWEREND OF THE DRIVING HEAD WHEREBY SAID CORING TUBE MAY BE CONNECTED TO THEROTARY HEAD, AND ALTERNATELY, TO THE DRIVING HEAD, DEPENDING UPON THESOIL CONDITION ENCOUNTERED; MEANS FOR TURNING THE ROTARY HEAD ABOUT AVERTICAL AXIS DURING VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE ROTARY HEAD; A CORING TUBEHAVING AN UPPER AND A LOWER END; A DRILL STEM CONNECTING THE ROTARY HEADTO THE UPPER END OF THE CORING TUBE FOR MOVING THE CORING TUBE IN THESAME MOTIONS AS THE ROTARY HEAD; AND A CUTTER ON THE LOWER END OF THECORING TUBE FOR CORING A CORE IN THE EARTH WHICH IS RECEIVED IN THECORING TUBE AS THE CORING TUBE IS MOVED DOWNWARDLY.